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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Week Eats {vol. 1}

Do you know Nell from Whole Parenting Family? She's lovely. And she started a linkup recently for bloggers & readers to share meal plans for the week. Great idea, right? I'm excited to be linking up for the first time today!

I am a big fan of meal planning, and I plan for us weekly. I find it really helps keep our grocery bill down, and also reduces the chance of there being nothing in the house to make and having to run to the store or eat out in a last minute pinch (which is not good for our budget here in NYC!).

When I sit down to plan I usually start with the weekly sale ads at the two local grocery stores we shop at most frequently. My initial plans are inspired by what ingredients are on sale, and then I go from there.

You can pretty much count on breakfast for dinner to show up on my meal plan once a week. Easy, affordable and delicious = winning. Michael makes the most delicious eggs (usually scrambled eggs with onion, red potato & gouda cheese, sometimes with spinach upon my request). We also typically have a meat (sausage or bacon), and pancakes or waffles.

2 peppers (any color - the green were the freshest at the grocery this week), seeded & sliced in half

1 tsp. olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove minced garlic

1 small yellow pepper, seeded & chopped

can of black beans, drained & rinsed

1 Tbsp. taco seasoning

1/4 Tbsp. cumin

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup quinoa or rice, prepared as directed

shredded cheddar

Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add onion and cook until tender. Add yellow pepper, cook 3 minutes. Add garlic, cook an additional minute. Mix in the black beans, taco seasoning, cumin and water. Bring mixture to a low boil, then simmer about 5 minutes. Add the quinoa or rice and stir. Cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Not sure we will have a formally planned dinner this evening. We're having a few friends over for appetizers and treats {and our gender reveal!}.

I also should mention that while I plan our dinners for the week, we don't always have that specific meal on the specific night as listed. I just cook what I feel in the mood to make that day, eventually eating each of the meals in the week-long period. :)

4 comments
:

I love this - we have loose plans; that is, maybe 1-2 plans for the week, and then standards/ favorites to fall back on. My cooking is way down too because of nausea. YAY for the gender reveal party!!!

Thanks for sharing those recipes. They sound so good and I will definitely try the stuffed peppers. We eat meat-free on Friday, too, and that recipe would easily be something James could eat. Thank you!

My name is Elise.I am grateful for my vocations as wife to my sweet husband and momma to our beloved son. I adore quality time with people I love, my morning cup of coffee, and having freshflowers in our home.I'm so very glad you're here.